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Court Rules
Judge

Judge Susan N. Kelly

Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies

McLennan County District Courts
Filters:

Document Filing Requirements3 rules

Filing RequirementsCriminal cases

If the paperwork is not timely submitted to the CSCD, then your client must appear in court with the PSI packet completed.

Filing RequirementsCriminal cases

To avoid having to appear for status docket, one of these must have happened by noon two days before the status docket (typically a Wednesday): properly signed plea documents (no Esignatures) must be delivered to the Court, or

Filing RequirementsCriminal cases

If your client is going to enter a plea of guilty and a PSI is being ordered, please make sure your client fills out the PSI packet and email it to the Probation department at [email protected] prior to the plea date.

Filing & Service rules

Adjournment & Extension Requirements

Without a Pass or submitted plea paperwork, attorneys must appear at pretrial to announce for the in-jail defendant.

If the attorneys have not received a pass or turned in plea paperwork, they must be present to announce for the in-jail defendant.

Criminal cases

Page 1 | PRETRIAL

the attorneys must have secured an official “Pass” or an Order granting a Continuance.

the attorneys must have secured an official “Pass” or an Order granting a Continuance.

Criminal cases

Page 1 | STATUS

Chambers Communication Rules

Requests regarding settings should be directed to Jessica Ficker or Deeanna Ayres by phone, fax, or mail.

Requests regarding settings should be directed to Jessica Ficker, or Deeanna Ayres by phone, fax, or mail.

Criminal cases

Page 1 | Settings & Docket Information

Direct transcript inquiries to Heather Weiser or Kimberly Reynolds by phone, fax, or mail.

Inquiries regarding transcripts should be directed to Heather Weiser or Kimberly Reynolds by phone, fax, or mail.

Criminal cases

Page 1 | Transcriptions of Trials/Hearings

Attorneys may seek a pretrial Pass by emailing the court, its staff, and opposing counsel.

Attorneys may attempt to obtain a “Pass” for any of the cases on pretrial by directly emailing the court, its staff, and opposing counsel.

Criminal cases

Page 1 | PRETRIAL

Court-wide rules

Applies court-wide

These 61 rules apply across McLennan County District Courts. Where this judge's own standing orders above address the same topic, the judge's requirement controls.

E-Filing

All 24
  • Applies to
    Court order

    The district clerk may print an electronic order and treat the printed version as the official copy.

  • Applies to
    Document

    Documents that may traditionally be filed with the district clerk generally may be filed electronically, subject to listed exceptions.

  • Electronic filing and service are generally optional, but a district court may order them for a particular case upon a party's motion and a showing of good cause when the documents are permitted to be electronically filed under Rule 3.3.

Service

All 11
  • Service
    Electronic service

    A filer may serve documents electronically by transmitting them to the receiving party's email address.

  • Service
    Electronic service

    Electronic service is permitted only when the receiving party has agreed to receive it or the court has ordered electronic service.

  • Service
    Electronic service

    Electronic service may be used for documents that are filed traditionally as well as electronically.

Filing Timing

All 9
  • Transmission to the filer's EFSP constitutes delivery and generally filing, and a timely-transmitted document received no more than ten days late will be deemed filed on time, with the EFSP transmission report as prima facie timing evidence.

  • Electronic transmission through an EFSP to TexasOnline is available around the clock except during scheduled maintenance periods.

  • A document is deemed accepted and filed if the clerk neither accepts nor rejects it within the prescribed review period.

Communication

All 4
  • Contact
    Phone

    To set a case for final hearing, a pro se litigant should call the District Court Coordinator or Administrator.

  • Contact
    Phone

    A pro se litigant must not call to set a final hearing until the applicable service prerequisite has been satisfied and a Final Divorce Decree or Order In Suit Affecting The Parent-Child Relationship is prepared and in hand.

  • Contact
    Email to clerk

    A filer who electronically files, serves, or agrees to accept service must provide information about any e-mail address change to TexasOnline, the district clerk, and all case parties.

About Judge Susan N. Kelly

Judge Susan Kelly, District Judge, 54th District Court.

  • Jurisdiction: the 54th District Court only tries felony criminal cases.
  • Physical address: 501 Washington Avenue, Suite 305, Waco, TX 76701.
  • Phone: 254-757-5051. Fax: 254-757-5002.
  • Docket calls: pretrial is for the third upcoming week and is called first at 9:30 a.m. Status is for the second upcoming week and is called right after pretrial, with all assigned attorneys present in the 54th courtroom. The final trial docket call is for the upcoming trial, usually to begin the next Monday, and at 9:00 a.m. on trial day all assigned attorneys and on-bond defendants must be present to announce ready.
  • Settings: requests go to Jessica Ficker or Deeanna Ayres by phone, fax or mail.
  • Transcripts: inquiries go to Heather Weiser or Kimberly Reynolds by phone, fax or mail.
  • Jury service: jurors report at 8:00 a.m. on the date on their summons. Jury trials normally begin on Monday.
  • Courtroom etiquette: all hearings are open to the public. Professional attire is expected. No shorts, tank tops, hats or bare feet. No children under the age of 7.
Common questions about Judge Susan N. Kelly's rules

What must be included with psi packet filings before Judge Susan N. Kelly?

When a guilty plea and PSI are anticipated, the client must complete the PSI packet and email it to the Probation Department before the plea date.

View ruleSource: page 1, section PSI Notice

What must be included with plea documents filings before Judge Susan N. Kelly?

To avoid having to appear for status docket, one of these must have happened by noon two days before the status docket (typically a Wednesday): properly signed plea documents (no Esignatures) must be delivered to the Court, or

View ruleSource: page 1, section STATUS

How may parties contact Judge Susan N. Kelly's chambers?

Requests regarding settings should be directed to Jessica Ficker or Deeanna Ayres by phone, fax, or mail.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Settings & Docket Information

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Susan N. Kelly?

the attorneys must have secured an official “Pass” or an Order granting a Continuance.

View ruleSource: page 1, section STATUS
Complete rules summary for Judge Susan N. Kelly

Requests regarding settings should be directed to Jessica Ficker or Deeanna Ayres by phone, fax, or mail.

Attorneys may seek a pretrial Pass by emailing the court, its staff, and opposing counsel.

the attorneys must have secured an official “Pass” or an Order granting a Continuance.

When a guilty plea and PSI are anticipated, the client must complete the PSI packet and email it to the Probation Department before the plea date.

To avoid having to appear for status docket, one of these must have happened by noon two days before the status docket (typically a Wednesday): properly signed plea documents (no Esignatures) must be delivered to the Court, or

If the PSI paperwork is not timely submitted to the CSCD, the client must appear in court with the completed packet.

Direct transcript inquiries to Heather Weiser or Kimberly Reynolds by phone, fax, or mail.

Without a Pass or submitted plea paperwork, attorneys must appear at pretrial to announce for the in-jail defendant.

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